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Overview
Definition of Psychology Origins of modern psychology Psychology and the scientific method Research methods in psychology.
Objectives
When you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
State the definition of Psychology Name and explain the three major themes in Psychology Name and explain the seven perspectives in Psychology Name and explain the four basic rules required when employing the scientific method Name and explain the five research methods in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology: the science of behavior and cognitive processes
Behavioral is any observable action or reaction Cognitive processes are all aspects of our mental lives
Major Themes
Stability versus change
How stable in personality over time?
Key Perspectives
Behavioral: observable behavior Cognitive: thoughts, memory Biological: physiology, emotions Evolutionary: inherited tendencies Developmental: behavior over life span Psychodynamic: unconscious, personality Cultural or multicultural: social and cultural factors
Scientific Method
Scientific method: systematic gathering of data in objective manner Essential components of science
Accuracy - careful, precise Objectivity unbiased Skepticism testable, date can be replicated Open-mindedness ability to change views
Guidelines
Never jump to conclusions Keep an open mind Ask how data gathered Be skeptical Be aware of persuasion Be aware emotions influence thinking
Negative correlation
Two variables move in opposite directions
Random assignment of participants All factors except independent variable held constant
Confounding variables influence from extraneous variables
Summary
Psychologists think carefully and systematically about complex aspects of human behavior.
Nature versus nurture, stability versus change, and rationality versus irrationality influence the field of psychology. There is no one best method of research. The research methods available are observation, correlation and experimentation.